Prime Minister Ansip's much-publicized claim that Estonia will one day be among the five wealthiest countries in Europe has a ways to go before becoming a reality, newly released figures from Eurostat show.

According to 2010 data, the nation's per capita GDP was 65 percent of the EU average, putting it in 21st place in the 27-member bloc.

The richest country was Luxembourg with 283 percent of the average, followed by the Netherlands at 134 percent. Denmark, Ireland and Austria tied for third at 125 percent.

The poorest EU countries were Romania and Bulgaria, whose per capita GDPs came in at 45 percent and 43 percent of the EU average respectively.

Steve Roman

Estonia Rates 21st in EU for Per Capita GDP

Prime Minister Ansip's much-publicized claim that Estonia will one day be among the five wealthiest countries in Europe has a ways to go before becoming a reality – newly released figures from Eurostat show that the nation's per capita GDP is 65 percent of the EU average, putting it in 21st place in the 27-member bloc.

The richest country was Luxembourg with 283 percent of the average, followed by the Netherlands at 134 percent. Denmark, Ireland and Austria tied for third at 125 percent.

The poorest EU countries were Romania and Bulgaria, whose per capital GDPs came in at 45 percent and 43 percent of the EU average respectively.